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UNFCC Turns 20

UNFCC Turns 20

21

Published

21 March 2014

Friday, 21 March 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is a moment to celebrate the far-sightedness of the Convention and all of the investment in its implementation that so many thousands of people have made over the last two decades, according to its Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres.

In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon praised the UNFCC as a “major catalyst in the growing developmental shift to clean technology, renewable energy, improved efficiency and adaptation.”

“At the same time, considerably greater ambition is needed to match the scale of the global challenge posed by climate change. Greenhouse gases are at their highest atmospheric concentration in 800,000 years. People everywhere – especially the poorest and most vulnerable – are experiencing the growing effects of unpredictable and increasingly extreme weather patterns,” he said

Ms Figueres said the anniversary highlighted “the distance we all have yet to travel to achieve the ultimate objective enshrined in the Convention, which is to preventdangerous human interference with the climate system and ensure sustainable development for everyone.”

To mark the anniversary, the secretariat has prepared an interesting, informative and fun timeline. Relive great moments in the history of the Convention in stories, photos, and video! Read more